Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Policy Education (SCOPE) stands in deep solidarity with the people of Palestine during the illegal occupation of their land, ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and genocide of the Palestinian peoples. As a South Central grassroots organization committed to ending anti-Blackness and systemic racism, we firmly believe in the power of collective action and collaboration to effect transformational change across the globe. SCOPE is working on a just transition from an extractive economy toward a future that’s regenerative, inclusive of Black, Indigenous, People of Color communities, and explicitly centers the fight for Black liberation. We are want a world liberated from white supremacy, systemic racism, apartheid, and genocide.
As of March 28, 2024, this genocide waged by the Israeli government has claimed the lives of over 32,000 people since October 7, 2023, including more than 13,000 children and 8,400 women. Tens of thousands more have been injured. Palestinians face the ongoing threat of violence, food and water shortages, severed lines of communication, and forced displacement. Despite these injustices, the U.S. government has sent over $3.8 billion in military funding to Israel and continues to consider additional funding.
As highlighted by the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, instead of funding weapons to Israel, this money could instead be used for public housing, free to low healthcare, public education, student loan debt relief, and renewable energy.
SCOPE echoes the demands uplifted by Black for Palestine in calling for:
- An immediate and permanent ceasefire.
- The unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and services, medical teams, supplies, and trauma care.
- The immediate restoration of water, food, fuel, electricity, and internet.
- Ending the U.S. obstruction of Palestinian protections against genocide under international law.
- An end to the siege on Gaza and the occupation of Palestine, including U.S. support.
In addition, we demand the release of all hostages. South Central residents know deeply the impacts of intense policing, surveillance, and displacement and see these same pervasive racist systems operating and replicating in the oppression of communities across the world. We call attention to these actions not as a form of Anti-Semitism, but to call for an end to violence in our global community. We pledge to continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine to amplify their voices and right to self-determination. This includes inter-community dialogues, direct action, and talk with decision-makers to realize a free Palestine.
In Solidarity,
SCOPE LA
